Washing away both “sin” and “loneliness” A “washer” that supports the rehabilitation of young people March 15th 13:49

Young people who work in the cleaning industry called ``washiya''.

Robbery, assault, theft, possession and use of drugs.

Many of them have a history of criminal activity and other problems.

However, now I am facing myself through my cleaning job.

We covered his rehabilitation efforts over a period of five months.

(Osaka Broadcasting Station Director Takayuki Kin)

“Washer” faces the crime he committed

Kazuya Matsumoto (37) runs a cleaning business in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture.

In the industry, they are called ``washers,'' and their workplaces are those where there is dirt, such as cleaning houses, washing the exterior walls of buildings, and polishing store floors.

The company has 15 employees ranging in age from 19 to 41.

Robbery, assault, theft, possession and use of drugs.

It is said that many of them have various problems, including having engaged in criminal activities.

This day's work was finishing cleaning of a newly built apartment.

The young people were silently wiping the windows, walls, and floors.

Every day, we continue to face ourselves, removing dirt and grime.

Kazuya Matsumoto: `

`After entering society, I won't cause any more victims. I won't make people sad. I won't hurt people. I want you to never forget that feeling. For example, if you do something bad because you don't have money. If that happens to you, just tell me. I'll make sure to stop you. There are days when you don't come to work, or you cause a fight, and you get angry, and there are times when I scold you. There is, but I can't leave it alone."

Treat people “like family”

There are some things Mr. Matsumoto keeps in mind when dealing with young people.

It means treating them like "family".

This is because there are many young people who have no one to rely on, such as being abused by their parents from an early age, or being told not to come back after committing a crime.

A young man who works at Mr. Matsumoto's company says

, ``When I told him, ``I don't have a home to live in,'' he came to pick me up the next morning.He was like a father and an older brother, and someone who would help me.'' That's what it feels like."

We also try to have lunch together during breaks from work.

Mr. Matsumoto pays for all the meals so that he doesn't have to worry about money as much as possible.

By paying attention to your child ``like family,'' you will be able to notice small changes, such as ``I'm worried about something right now.''

Rehabilitation begins when “work and residence” are both in place

We also provide a place to live.

Commonly known as ``Matsumoto Dormitory.''

Mr. Matsumoto believes that it is only when a job and a place to live can be found that a person can take the first step toward rehabilitation, but young people who have left juvenile detention centers or prisons are often refused a house even if they want to rent one.

We have two 3LDK houses where 3 people each share a room, for a total of 6 people.

The rent is 25,000 yen per person.

In the dormitory, if someone is hungry, their friends may prepare a meal for them.

It is said that helping each other through living together leads to an independent life.

He was a “juvenile delinquent”

In fact, Mr. Matsumoto himself was once a juvenile delinquent.

When you gamble and run out of money, you snatch it.

He repeatedly committed criminal acts.

My life changed completely 15 years ago.

I met her wife, Ayaka, and later had her daughter.

I decided to live my life seriously and started working as a washer.

Kazuya Matsumoto: ``

I was full of anxiety about how I was going to live with my wife and children, and I had no desire to do anything bad.At that time, there was no room in my house. There was no air conditioning, so in the summer, my wife and I would sit in front of the fan covered in sweat.But she would always encourage me, saying, ``If you do it, you'll be fine.''

However, at that time, the technology was not yet available and I was unable to get the job I wanted.

Even though Ayaka was pregnant, she said she had little income.

When she was at a loss, Matsumoto's senior workers at the washing shop were concerned about her and gave her enough work to make a living.

Little by little, the company got back on track and was able to hire employees.

Just like her seniors who helped Matsumoto when she was having a hard time, she began to think that she too would like to support those in need.

What led to the support?

Meanwhile, an incident occurs.

Tomoaki Yoneda (22) is called Tom at work.

Tom joined the company at the age of 16, but when he was 17 he was driving a motorcycle without a license and was involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Mr. Matsumoto decided that he would support Mr. Tom.

He apologized to the victim and settled the matter.

At the juvenile trial, he said that he would "continue to take care of him for rehabilitation."

Tom was placed on probation and will continue to work at Matsumoto's company.

Kazuya Matsumoto: ``

When Tom caused the incident, the senior who helped him when life was difficult said to him, ``If you feel grateful, you don't have to repay it to me.In the future, when someone else is in trouble, I just need to help him.'' When I thought about Tom's future, I thought it would be best for Tom to rehabilitate himself under my care.''

After that, Mr. Tom began to work seriously and repaid the settlement money that Mr. Matsumoto had advanced to him in full.

He has acquired skills as a washer and is now entrusted with responsible work by Mr. Matsumoto.

They have become the core of the company, not only carefully teaching new juniors how to work, but also offering them advice when they have problems in daily life.

Tom: `

`I have a debt of gratitude that I can't repay, so I'm working hard to repay it by working hard.I can't imitate Mr. Matsumoto completely, but I can at least try to do what Mr. Matsumoto did for my juniors. I wish we could do it ourselves.”

The support I received from “someone else”

After Tom's case, Matsumoto became involved in a project run by a foundation that supports the rehabilitation of young people who have committed crimes.

She felt that what was important for ``rehabilitation'' was to be able to pass on to someone else what someone had done for her.

Utilizing a system set up by the foundation that subsidizes expenses by 300,000 yen a year, we have employed more than 10 young people so far.

I also visit juvenile detention centers and prisons several times a year to give lectures.

At the juvenile detention center he visited that day, he appealed that ``people can change.''

"Like everyone else, I had an arrest record when I was a teenager, and I didn't have a good job. I didn't have a home, I didn't have money, and I couldn't borrow a cell phone. Today, I want to help these children. I came here. If you guys really want to change after leaving this juvenile detention center, please call me first, even if it's just an interview. I'll definitely take care of you to the best of my ability. I promise you this."

Kazuya Matsumoto

: ``For me, the people who can truly say they have been rehabilitated are the ones who have become relieved, or rather, the ones who have become able to bring joy to others. When the person who was hurting you starts to make others happy, I think you've been rehabilitated.I'll continue to do what I can to the best of my ability.However, I'm not sure what a single company can do. It is true that there are limits. I hope that initiatives like this will become more widespread, and that we will become a society where people can try again even if they fail."

Interview postscript

What I learned from my interviews is that in order to prevent recidivism, it's not just a matter of having a job or a place to live, it's also important to have human relationships built on trust, with the belief that ``you can't betray this person.'' .

I also felt that behind the building of a relationship of trust lies the determination to not abandon someone no matter what, and the accumulation of daily efforts.

(Broadcast on “Hotto Kansai” on February 20th)

Osaka Broadcasting Station Director

Takayuki Kane Joined the station

in 2011

After working at the Sapporo station and news station, he is currently at the station.He

continues to report on the theme of “family.”